Australian man perishes following bat attack
In a tragic incident, a man in his 50s from the northern region of New South Wales, Australia, has succumbed to a rare viral disease known as the Lyssavirus. The cause of death was confirmed by health authorities, marking the first reported human fatality from the Lyssavirus in New South Wales.
The Lyssavirus, a virus related to rabies, is primarily transmitted through bat bites or scratches. This virus, including the Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), shares similar symptoms and preventive measures with rabies.
Early symptoms of Lyssavirus infection often begin like the flu, with headache, fever, fatigue, and pain or weakness at the site of infection. As the disease progresses, symptoms can quickly worsen, leading to muscle weakness, sensory changes, confusion, delirium, convulsions, paralysis, loss of consciousness, and ultimately, death. The incubation period, or time from exposure to symptom onset, can range from a few days to several years, but symptoms typically develop around 2 to 3 months after exposure.
To prevent the onset of the Lyssavirus, public health authorities advise avoiding contact with bats and flying foxes. If a person is bitten or scratched by a bat, immediate medical attention is crucial to receive appropriate wound care and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with rabies vaccines. Even for those who have been vaccinated previously, additional vaccine doses might be needed.
Public awareness about the risks of encroaching on bat habitats is also important, as human interaction with bats increases the risk of transmission. After a bat bite or scratch, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes and then treated with an antiviral disinfectant.
Sadly, once symptoms appear, no effective treatment exists, and the disease is almost always fatal. Given its severity, public health authorities emphasize prevention, monitoring, and early intervention after possible exposures.
The health authority of New South Wales has advised immediate action after a bat injury to prevent the onset of the disease. However, the number of reported bat bites or scratches in the region remains unspecified. The man, who was treated in a critical condition in the hospital, was bitten by a bat several months ago.
The Lyssavirus was first discovered in Australia in 1996, and since then, there have been three previous human infections in the northern state of Queensland, all of which were fatal. Despite this, the Lyssavirus infection remains extremely rare.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution when encountering wildlife, particularly bats, and to seek immediate medical attention if a bite or scratch occurs. Public health authorities encourage everyone to educate themselves about the risks associated with bat encounters and to prioritize preventive measures to ensure personal safety.
[1] Australian Government Department of Health. (2021). Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). Retrieved from
[2] New South Wales Health. (2021). Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). Retrieved from
[3] World Health Organization. (2021). Australian Bat Lyssavirus. Retrieved from
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Australian Bat Lyssavirus. Retrieved from
[5] National Centre for Zoonotic and Emerging Infectious Diseases. (2021). Australian Bat Lyssavirus. Retrieved from
- In light of the recent human fatality caused by the Lyssavirus in New South Wales, it is crucial that the community familiarizes themselves with the policy on preventing and managing potential encounters with this neurotropic virus.
- To address the growing concern over mental health and neurological disorders, a local community policy could be implemented to support vocational training programs for individuals recovering from the Lyssavirus, helping them regain independence and rejoin the workforce.
- Additionally, as scientific research progresses in understanding the complexities of medical-conditions like the Lyssavirus, it is essential that health-and-wellness initiatives are incorporated into community policies to promote education and preventive measures for various infectious diseases.
